Printing counter



Aug. 25, 1942. B. COOPER 2,293,934

PRINTING COUNTER Filed Maron :51, i939 2 sheets-sheet 1 M lll llll llllllllu'llll.-

INVENTOR Aug. 25, 1942. B, COOPER PRINTING COUNTER Filed March 3l, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Aug. 25, 1942 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE PRINTING COUNTER Benjamin Cooper, Jersey City, N. J.

Application March 31, 1939, Seria'l No. 265,292

9 Claims.

- in a counter of the character described, means to prevent operation of the counter after the resetting operation has been started, until completely reset to zero, so that false totals cannot be obtained by partially resetting the counter and then continuing to count on the partially reset total.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious, and in part hereinafter be pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in features of construction, combinations of elements, and

arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a front view of an electromagnetic counter embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken on line Fig. 4 is a, cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the transfer gear assembly;

Fig. 6 is a view of the ratchet disengaging mechanism; and

Fig. '7 is a side view of the counter with the printing mechanism.

Referring now in detail to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I0 represents an electromagnetic counter embodying my invention. The same comprises a back mounting frame Il, and integral therewith and extending at right angles thereto, parallel side plates I2 and I3.

Rigidly attached to the plate II in any suitable manner is a U-shaped solenoid frame I4 comprising a bottom wall I4a. and parallel upstanding walls Hb and Ilc. v

Rigidly connected to the bottom wall Ila is a` central core I5, disposed between the arms Ilb and I4c of the solenoid frame I4. Surrounding central core I5, is a coil I6.

Integrally formed with the upper end of arm |4b of frame I4 are a pair of parallel ears Il and I8 extending toward the upper end of the frame Wall |40, said ears being formed with aligned holes supporting the ends of a shaft I9. The upper end of arm Hc is bent over the shaft I9, as at IBG. 1

Pivotally mounted on shaft I9 is a bell crank lever 29a, comprising an armature 20 overlying the upper end of the core I5. Extending downwardly from the armature 20 is an ear 2I connected by coil tension spring 22 to the wall Hb of the frame I4.

Also integrally formed with the armature 20 is a downwardly extending arm 24, carrying a pivoted pawl 25 at its lower end, normally urged to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 2, by a coil tension spring 44, interconnecting one end of said pawl with said arm.

Integrally formed with the upper end of wall Mb is a stop projection or shoulder 23, adapted to be contacted by the armature 20 to limit rotation of the armature in one direction.

Rotatably supported by the side walls I2 and I 3 is a transverse, horizontal shaft 2E, located below the frame I4. Rigidly mounted on one end of said shaft is a disc 2l, located on the outside of wall I2, and having a notch 28 in its circumferential face. Also on said shaft 26 is fixed an identical disc 29, located on the outside of Wall I3, and likewise having a notch 30 in its circumferential face. shaft an additional disc 3|, parallel to and adjacent the disc 29 and formed with a notch 32, Fig. 6, at its circumferential face. The shaft 2B also carries a fixed gear 33, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Rotatably mounted on the shaft 26, and located between the walls I2 and I3, are four similar digit wheels 34, 35, 36 and 31, each preferably carrying on its circumferential face, ten digits, one to zero, equiangularly spaced apart. The wheels 34, 35 and 36 each carry on one side face a coaxial pinion 42, Whereas, the digit Wheel 3l carries on its face a ratchet 43, having ten teeth and adapted to cooperate with the pawl 25, so that each time the solenoid is actuated the bell crank 20a will be oscillated for rotating the digit wheel 31 onedisposed between the side walls I2 and I3, and 55 tenth of a revolution. Carried by side plates I2 There is further fixed on saidl and I3 is a-transverse, horizontal shaft |06, and pivotally mounted thereon is a pawl |61 springpressed into engagement with ratchet wheel 43 to prevent reverse or clockwise movement of the digit wheel 31, looking at Fig. 2'of the drawings.

Referring to Fig. 3, the portion of the shaft 26 disposed between the side walls I2 and I3- has` therein an axially disposed slot 38. On the face of each digit wheel is pivoted a small pawl 39, and cooperating therewith a small leaf spring 40 adapted to tension said `pawl against shaft 26. Also disposed on said face of each digit wheel is a gear segment 4I.

A spacing stud |08, integral with side plates I2 and 3, serves as a mechanical brace between said plates, and also has pivotally mounted thereon friction fingers 45, 46 and 41 adapted to cooperate with gears 42 of the digit wheels 34, 35 and 36, respectively, in a manner to be hereinafter described.

Pivoted to the side walls I2 and I3 of the supporting frame, as at 64, 65, is a member 5|, Fig. 5, comprising a pair of vertical parallel arms 52 and 53, interconnected by a transverse portion 54. Arm 52 carries a lug 56 adapted to flt within the notch 28 in the disc 21. Armv 53 carries a corresponding lug 51 adapted to lit within the f notch 30 in the disc 29.

Extending from the arms 52 and 53 is a transverse, horizontal shelf or cross-bar 58, carrying an outwardly extending central ear 62, interconnected to the wall |4c of frame I4 by a coil ten- 'sion spring 63, which normally tends to rotate the member 5| in a counterclockwise direction, looking at Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Supported by the cross-bar 58 are a plurality of springs 59, 60 and 6I, adapted to contact the fingers 45, 46 and 41 respectively, when the member 5| is rotated in a clockwise direction about its pivotal connections 64, 65. v

Carried by the arms 52 and 53, is a transverse shaft 55, carrying three usual transfer gears 48, 49 and 50, adapted to cooperate with the gears 42, and the gear segments 4| of the digit wheels, in the usual well known manner. When the member 5| is in the position shown in Fig. 2,of the drawings, with the lugs 56 and 51 within the notches 28 and 30 of the discs 21 and 29, the transfer gears operate in the usual manner, whereby'when each digit wheel rotates through number 9, the next digit wheel will be given a rotation of one-tenth revolution.

Means is provided for printing the total count on the counter. To this end, there is provided a printing solenoid 9|, Fig. 7, controlling a movable plunger 92. The solenoid 9| may be operated from any suitable source of power, and may be controlled by a switch operated either manually or closed periodically by a time switch such Pivoted to a suitable xed fulcrum 94 is a platen 93, connected to the plunger 92 by a link 92a. When the solenoid 9| is energized the plunger is moved downwardly to rotate the platen 93 for pressing a strip of paper 93a, fed' in any suitable manner, against the digit wheels to cause a printing operation.

Means is provided to automatically reset all of the digit wheels t0 zero after each printing operation. To this end, there is xed to the solenoid supporting frame an'auxiliary frame wall 13, Figs. l and 4, carrying a motor 14 provided with an output shaft 15. Fixed on the auxiliary support 13 is a shaft 16 carrying a gear 18 and a able train of reduction gearing 8|. Shaft 16 also n carries a disc 19 formed with a notch 80, Fig. 4, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Gear 18 meshes with gear 33 on the shaft 26, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Supported by the auxiliary wall 13 are a pair of normally open contacts 81 and 88, Fig. 7, con-y trolling the circuit for the motor 14. When the contacts 81 and 88 are moved into contact, in the manner hereinafter appearing, the motor is energized.

Pivoted to the auxiliary support 13, as at 83 by screw 82a, is an arm 82 carrying a lug 86 adapted to move the contacts 81 and 88 into engagement with each other when said arm is rotated in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 7 of the drawings.- Arm 82 alsocarries a projection 84, normally received within the groove of the disc.19 when the motor is stationary.

Means is provided to rotate said arm 82 in a clockwise direction to operate the motor for rotating the shaft 26 through a single revolution. To this end, the lower end o'f arm 82 carries a stud 89.

Fixed to the platen 93 is a downwardly extending arm 96, and pivoted to said arm, as at 91, is a link 98 provided with a slot 99 receiving the stud 89.

carried by the side wans l2 and la is a transverse, horizontal shaft 66, on which is pivoted a bell crank lever 61, having an arm 68 resting on the top of the cross bar 58. The bell crank 61 also comprises a downwardly extending arm 61a formed with a nger 61h at its lower end.

On platen 93 is a stud |00, adapted to contact ment with gear wheels 42 of the digit Wheels 34, l

35 and 36. v

A horizontal transverse bar 69a, Fig. 3, mounted on side plates I2 and |3 carries thereon a linger 69, positioned to become engaged between the teeth of said transfer gears 48, 49 and 50 when said gears are moved out of engagement with the digit wheels, preventing said gears from losing their relative positions.

The operation of the apparatus will now' be described.

When the solenoid 9|v is energized the platen 93 is swung upwardly to cause a printing operation. 'I'his operation causes the member 5| to pivot about the pivots 64 and 65 to move the transfer gears away from the digit wheels and to press the fingers 45, 46 and 41 against the digit wheels. This operation also causes link 98 to be moved to the left, looking at Fig. '1, to rotate the lever 82 in a. clockwise direction for starting the motor.

The starting of the motor causes shaft 26 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 3. After shaft 26 has started to move, the ears 56 and 51 on arms 52 and 53 will ride on the circumference of discs 21 and 29, causing the transfer gears 48, 49 and 50 to remain disengaged from the digit wheels. Similarly, ear 84 of arm 82 will ride on the circumference of disc 19, causgear 11, connected to the shaft 15 through a suit- 75' ing contacts 81 and 88 to remain closed for maintaining energization of the motor 14 after the platen 83 has been released to normal position.

When the longitudinal groove or slot 38 in shaft 28 engages the pawls 38 on the respective digit wheels, the digit wheels are caused to rotate with said shaft 26 through angles depending upon the angular positions ofthe pawls relative to the groove 38, and hence upon the positions of the various digit wheels. When the shaft 26 makes a complete revolution all of the digit wheels 34, 35, 36 and 31 will have been turned independently so that the zero on each wheel appears on the bottom in printing position.

The gears 33 and 18 are provided with the same number of teeth so that shaft 16 and shaft 26 each rotate at the same speed. When the shaft 26 has completed its revolution and the digit wheels have been re-set the discs 21, 29 and 13 have also made one revolution, so that the notches 28, 3|) and 88 are returned to normal position permitting the ears 56, 51 and 84 to reengage their respective notches. The transfer gears 48, 49 and 58 become re-engaged with their respective digit wheel, and the contacts 81 and 88 are opened stopping the motor 14. It is seen that the engagement of said ears 56, 51 and 84 in their respective notches act as a brake for preventing shaft 26 from being rotated more than one revolution. It is also seen that the pressure of the friction fingers 45, 46 and 41 against the gears 42 of the digit wheels 34 and 35 and 36 respectively, caused by the springs 59, 6|! and 6|, acts as a friction brake during the reset operation to prevent free rotation of said digit wheels.

Means is provided to prevent operation of the counter until the re-setting operation is finished. To this end, there is pivoted to a fixed pivot 18 on the wall i3, an arm 1| having a finger 1|a received in the notch 32 in disc 3|. The pawl 25 carries a transverse pin 25a overlapping the lower end of the pivot arm 1|. When the finger 1la on the pivot arm 1| is within the notch 32 of the disc 3|, said arm 1| clears the transverse rod 25a to permit normal operation of the pawl 25 to actuate the digit wheels. However, as soon as the shaft 26 starts to rotate, disc 3| rotates therewith, to pivotally move the arm 1| in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot 10, looking at Fig. 6 of the drawings. As the arm 1| is pivotally moved about its pivot, it contacts the transverse rod 25a to move the pawl 25 away from the ratchet 43, so that even if the solenoid i6 is operated, the pawl 25 cannot engage the ratchet 43. When the disc 3| makes a complete revolution, and the digit wheels are completely reset, the finger 1|a again drops into the notch 32 to permit pawl 25 to move to a position where it may again actuate the ratchet 43 when solenoid i6 is again operated.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In' combination, a counter comprising a shaft, a plurality of digit wheels, means for printing against said wheels, an electric motor,

means for zeroizing said digit wheels upon rotating said shaft through a predetermined angle, means operated by said motor to rotate said shaft, means controlled by the printing means to cause actuation of said motor for rotating said shaft, and means to limit rotation of said shaft to said predetermined angle upon actuating said motor. Y

2. In combination, a counterA comprising a shaft, a plurality of digit wheels, means for printing against said wheels, anjelectric motor, a switch controlling the operation of the motor, means for zeroizing said digit wheels upon rotating said shaft through a predetermined angle, transmission gears interconnecting said motor and shaft, means to lock said transmission gears, means controlled by the printing means to close said switch to operate the motor and to simultaneously release said locking means to permit said transmission gears to rotate, and means to open said switch and again lock the transmission gears when the transmission gears have operated through a predetermined angle.

3. In combination, a counter comprising a shaft, a plurality of digit wheels, transfer mechanism interconnecting said digit wheels, means to print from the digit wheels, an electric motor, transmission means interconnecting the motor with said shaft, means for resetting the digit wheels from any positions thereof to initial position upon rotating said shaft, means controlled by the printing means for disengaging and for automatically re-engaging the transfer gears with the digit wheels, and means controlled by the printing means for operating the motor to rotate said shaft.

4. In combination, a counter comprising a plurality of digit wheels, transfer gears interconnecting said-wheels, an electric motor, means operated by said motor for resetting said digit wheels from any position of said digit wheels, a switch controlling the operation of said motor, means for printing from said digit wheels, and means controlled by the printing means to close said switch to operate the motor and means also controlled by the printing means to disengage the transfer gears from said digit wheels, to permit resetting of said digit wheels.

5. In combination, a counter comprising a plurality of digit wheels, means for resetting said digit wheels from any position of said digit wheels, an electric motor, a switch controlling the operation of said motor, transmission means interconnecting said motor and resetting means for operating said resetting means upon closing said switch to operate said motor, means for locking said transmission means, means for printing the total count from said digit wheels,

means controlled by the printing means to close said switch to operate the motor and unlock the transmission and friction means controlled by said printing means to prevent free rotation of the digit Wheels during the resetting operation.

6. In combination, a counter comprising a plurality of digit wheels, transfer gears interconnecting said wheels, means for operating the digit wheels, means for resetting said digit wheels from any position of said digit wheels, an electric motor, a switch controlling the operation of the motor, transmission means interconnecting said motor and resetting means, means for locking said transmission means, means for printing the total from said digit wheels, means controlled by the printing means to close said switch, and release said locking means to operate the motor and unlock the transmission means, means to disengage the transfer gears from the digit wheels, and means to control re-engagement of the transfer g`ears with the digit wheels, upon completion of resetting of said digit wheels, friction means controlled by said printing means tov prevent rotation of the digit wheels during the resetting operation, and means controlled by the printing means to prevent rotation of the transfer gears about their axis, while in disengagement with said digit wheels.

7. In combination with a counter and printing means for the counter, zeroizdng means for said counter, a motor to operate the zeroizing means, means controlled by the printing means to cause actuation of said motor, transfer gears for the type wheels of said counter, and means controlled by the printing means to disengage the transfer gears from the type wheels, means to prevent the transfer gears from again becoming engaged with the type wheels, until the type wheels have become zeroized, and motive means to operate the printing means.

8. In combination, a counter including a plurality of digit wheels, transfer gearing interconnecting said wheels, means to print against said wheels, means controlled by the printing means to disengage the transfer gears from said digit wheels, means for resetting said digit wheels to initial position, motive means also controlled by said printing means for operating the resetting means. and motive means separate from the motive means for operating the resetting means to operate the printing means.

9. In combination, a counter comprising a shaft, a plurality of digit wheels, means for printing against said counter wheels, an electric motor, means for zeroizing said digit wheels upon rotating said shaft, transmission means interconnecting said motor and shaft, means controlled by the printing means to cause actuation of said motor to operate the transmission means and rotate said shaft for zeroizing said digit wheels, and electric motive means separate from said electric motor to operate the printing means.

BENJAMIN COOPER. 

